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Tous les autres exemplaires origiriaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustratJon et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symbotes suivants apparaftra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ►signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film* d partir de I'angle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 SERMON IN REFERENCE TO THE DEATH OF THE RIGnX REV. JOHN INGIJS, D. D., LORD BISHOP OF NOVA SCOTIA, PREACHED IN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, LUNENBURG, N. S., ON SUNDAY THE IVth NOVEMBER, 1850. BY THE REV. JAMES C. COCHRAN, A. M., RECTOR THEREOF. HALIFAX, N. S. PRINTED AT THE CHURCH TIMES OFFICK. 1850. / ^s. V a 1 0] it tl A S( r( ci ti 01 b P TO THE READER. THE following Sermon is printed more particularly for the use of tlie Preacher's own Congregation, many of whom were unable, in consequence of the weather, to attend when it was delivered. And of those who did hear it, it is believed that many would like to possess some more lasting memorial of their revered Bishop, than their mere recollection of the Sermon can supply. As some apology for the imperfection of this humble tribute to one who de- served a better, it may be said, that the news of our sad bereavement only reached us on the morning of the day previous to its delivery, and the great- er part oi that day was devoted to other engagements. The writer however, trusts, that all defects in this, and every other notice, which has yet appeared of the eminent Prelate whose loss wo deplore, will be abundantly supplied by the hands of some more able Biographer, who would find a worthy and prolific subject in the " Life and Times of the Third Bishop f Nova Scotia." Lunenburg, Nov., 1850. S.7 tft ^ SERMON. --■^> -V-,/-v^^,'V- I •• • Acts xx. 37-8. «' And they alltcepi sore, and fell on Paul's neck and Usxed Mm, smrotving mo!tt of all for the vords which ud xpuke, that they should sec hix face no more. 'And Ihcij accompanied him to the nhip." THE -latter part of this Chapter is one of the most interestmg portions of the Acts of the Apostles, and presents to us tlic greut St. Paul in a very in- Btnictive and edifying point of view. He had been, and then was on one of his extensive visitations of the Christian communities whiclihad sprung up, in such large "numhors, under his Divinely blessed labours. Scattered as these were over trlio then known world, and far inferior to what we now have, as were tho facilities of moving from place to place, it is truly astonishing to consider tho length and vi.riely.of the journies pci-formed by tliis eminent servant of Christ. Truly when we reflect ui)on this, and consider furtlier, that all he did was in the face of dangers, persecutions and death, wo may enter into tho full force of his own declaration, " I have laboured more abundantly than they all." In the Chapter before us he recounts some of his many labours. Being now at Miletus, in the vicinity of Ephesus, he sent for the neigh- bouring Presbyters or Elders to meet him there, and enters upon a brief re- view of his ministerial course among them. — " Ye know from tho first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons. " Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, wliich befel mo by the lying in wait of the Jews. *' And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, " Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." But all these labours, and ali tuis preaching of life-giving truths, were now drawing to their close. He tells them — " And now, behold I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, '" Save that the Holy Ghost witnessjeth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me." But far from being deterred by prospects like these, from pursuing the path of duty — far from rogi'ctting that he had chosen a path where things so uneasy to flesh and blood were to be found, he adds in the language of sur- ' jmssing faith and confidence,— • " But none of these things niove me, neither count I my life dear ur.to 6 myself so that I might finish my course with joy, anrl the miniHtry, which I have received o* the Lord Jesus, to testify the Uoripol of the gi-aeo ot' What a glorious pattern have wo here Brethren, for all of us, in view of the end of our earthly course ! IJut especially, what a pattern for the Chris- tian Minister and the Christian IVishop, ever to keep before his eyes, as ho pursues the work which God has given hiui to do. What fervent desires to fultil his ministry ! What indifference to tho things of time — the suffering and triab Avhich were his daily portion ! " None of these thuifjs move me /" All he .asired v/as, to " finish his course with joy," (no matter how many its previous sorrows,) and to be able to give a good account of the "ministry of the Gospel of the grace of God," with which ho was put in charge. Well will it be for every 3Iinister, if ho can at tho close of his career, and when looking back on the years ho has passed among his people, take up the words of Paul, anij say — " ■Wljorcfore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. " For I have not shiumed to declare unto yon all the counsel of God." Assuredly tho only ground on which we can hope to be regarded " pure from the blood" of souls, in the great day of account, is the very same as that hero set J&gli l)y Paul. That we have not shunned to declare all tho counsel of Gotl^ That we "have kept back nothing tliat was profitable" unto our hei^6rs — "))ave not shunned" tlirough fear of their frowns or their ridicule, or through desire of applause, to declare plainly and faith- fully the Gospel message — not their own counsel or message — not the fancies of their own minds or the systems of man's devising — but tho couxskl of God — especially as manifested in die redemption of the world, })y the death and passion of Ills adorable Son — not a part, only, of lliis eilhcr, such as niight please flcsli and blood, or such as agrees with their own opinions, or the taste of a corrupt generation, but the " avuole counsel of God,'''' as they find it, not among the " traditions of men," but in tho pure word of God. They that would have peace in the closing hour of tlioir ministry, or hope to render up their account with joy, and not with grief, must aim at tho like faithfulness and plainness of spc: z\\ and singleness of purpose, in all their dealings with tho souls committed to tlieir charge. Tlndn- die influence of these cou.siderations, the Apostle proceeds to deliver his last worJs of caution and exhortation to those nromul him. Tlie parting hour had arrived, that hour which must arrive to all — which must separate every preacher from his flock — every Bishop from his larger charge — his care or all tlie Ohurches. " And now behold I know that ye all, among wliom I havo gone preach- ing the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more." This was the last time they would ever sec his face, until they should iHcet ill the kingduiu abu.vo ; thu lust time that they sl.ould ever hear tliat p.cacliing which had bo often clelighted and instructed them all. He thcrcforo Bolemnly charges them, — " Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the w nch the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God wluch ho hath purchased with his own blood. , „ . , i„« " For 1 know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock," And then, knowing how vain of itself is all human counsel and exhorta- tion, however solemn the time or circumstances attending it, he points lug fellow labourers to Him, who is the never failing »iurce of grace, and strength, and wisdom— who, amid all the changes and chances of this shifting scene, is always the same— who, tho' the '' earthly priesthood" continually " changes by reason of death," remains " a priest for evor"— who, while tho pastors and tho congregations of the Church below, are ever passing away from the face of tho earth, is Himself, "the same yesterday, to^lay, and forever,"— al- ways able fitly to supply the vacancies which occur in His church, and to over- rule, what we think calamitous dispensations, for our good, and His own glory. " And now Brethren, I commend you unto God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." lie then concludes tho most impressive services of that most raomorablo day, a day such as the Church of Christ has seldom seen,— in a manner most suiUvble to such a time. For what can be more suitable, when friends are about to part company in this uncertain world, than to unite in prayer to God, that they may meet where they will " part no more," and to commit each other to the Guardiansliip of their Almighty Protector. But especially, what more suitable farewell for a Christian Pastor, when about to turn his foce for the last time from his beloved people, than to min- gle his prayers withtheirs— and call a blessing down upon tlieir past connexion and their future lives,— on their persons, their substance, and their families. " In prayer on earth, the saints are one, They're one in word ai.d miu'', When v/ith the Father and the Son, Sweet fellowship they find." Accordingly the last soui-i.s of Paul's voice before he bid his last forowoll to the Church of Ephosus— were those of Prayer, " And when he hud thus spoken he kneeled down, and prayed with them all." How touchin;? is tho account given of the feelings shown on this most afFectin.r occasion. " No cold, and indifTerent scene was that. No carelessness whether he went or staid. " They all locptr not a little only— net a few strained tears— but " j^ejoisfire,"— copiously did the tears course down thou- ^.i^eeks— as evidence that their liearts were melted too, in tenderness and love. IMoreovor, " they fell on the neck" of their venerable and beloved Min- ister and frie.ul— and they " kissed him 1' And ihougii they had variouH causes of Horrow nt suuli u tlmo — tho' oven ii brief parting would hato l>cen pain- ful to tlit'ir feelings — their hoitow on this occasion was hciglitonctl to the groat- cst [>itch of intensity by the wul consciousness, that they saw his face, and beard his words, and pressed ins hands for the last time. " Tliey sorrowed most of all for tho words which ho spake, tiuit they should sco his faco no more. And they accompaniud him unto tho ship." Surely among the histories of tho mere children of this world, thcro never can be found a scene so sublimely affecting, so full of all that is noblo and beautiful and pure, as this. But it is a scene which has often boon repeated in tho history of tho Church of Christ since the parting of Paul from Epliosus. All Christ's peo- ple aro " made to drink into one spirit." They are all united to " one Lord,'' and are partakers of ono faith — and ' it is tho samo God who is above all and through all and in them all." And His Spirit thus leads, in all ages, and sections of Ilia Church, to tho samo results — tho same Christian affection between Pastor and people — tho same high and holy consolations, to cheer tliem both, when their earthly connexion is dissolved — tho samo hopes of meeting whoi'c connexions are dissolved no more. And now Brethren I have been led to select this portion of Scripture, as introduct^'y to a fow remarks OH that mournful event wliich is sufficiently declared by the sable garments which you see around you to day in this house of Goil. Your Bishop, tho highest Minister over that house, to whom you and T have been accustomed to look as our Spiritual Father and Overseer, is no more ! He has finished bis course, " and the ministry which iie had received of tho Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of tho grace of God." And now, behold, all ye, among whom he has gone preaching tho kingdom of God, for so many years, shall sec his faco no more. Ho who has so often passed up and down our coasts and througli tho length and breadth of our land, ordaining our Ministers, consecrating our Chuvchcs, confirming our youth, comforting those that mourn, animating our zeal, encouraging us in our difficulties, counselling us in our dfmbts, rejoicing in our prosperity, .sympathising in our adversity, has pass- ed for c' jr away from this lower scene of trial ! Ho " rests from his labours," and wo trust we may also add " his works do follow him." It is most fitting, brethren, that at sucli a time, and after such an event, your attention should be fixed upon it. It is a loud call to a family, when its head is removed by death. It is a solemn call to a congre- gation when its Minister clones his labours and lies down in tlio grave. It is a yet louder and more widely extended call, when tho " Chief Shepherd" of all our sheep, the Minister of all our congregations, tho Spiritual Father of all our Ecclesiastical families, is addressed as of old, " Set thine house in order for thoic shalt die and not live.'" It behoves each member of tlie fom- ily to give heed to a call like tliat, which comes but seldom in the lives of any. It is right, too, that wlion one to whom wo have all been .so long unit- ed in the bonds of Christian love and obedience, one who has so often come 8 down among us, seeking to bo allowed to " impart to us some spiritual gift," one personally and officially so worthy of our respect, — it is right, I say, to mark the departure of such an one from our head, by such tokens of respect and mournful affection, as this Church presents to day, and which the affec- tionate kindness of several'- of you has enabled us readily and quickly to ap- ply. But I regret that the notice I can take of our departed and honoured Bishop, must bo brief and imperfect, and quite unworthy of the subject. He bc^^im his ministry as Missionary in the rural parish of Aylcsford, where he discharged his duties in a most exemplary manner, commending him- self to the afFectiatii found him at his I^Taster's work, and he was mcreituUj- f pared at last, the mental and tjodlly irib' ._ility which is often tlieporiion oi dis- lin"uished talent, and was the portion oi his Father. 12 quickly" tho works of his Mnstcr antl yours ! Long, surely, will wo rcmcm- biir that last visit — our Diocesan Cliurch Society Meeting, at which he adtlress- ctl us in so pleasing a manner — and our other solemn services — little as wc thought they were to be his last. Individually, I feel Uiut another great blank has been made in my own circle of earthly friends — another link snapped in the chain that binds me to earth — He was " my own friend and my father' s friend y My eai-liest and most pleasing recollections arc connected with liis visits to the home of my childliood, wliere I have spent hours in listening to, without perhaps fully understanding, his engaging converse. lie was my counsellor as I advanced in life's thorny path — especially at the time I turned from other pursuits to the Ministry, now ab(,ut thirty years ago. In College he kindly continued his valuable advice. Ho has been my indulgent Bishop ever since, and I MOur.N IIIM AS A FATIIKR AND A FRIEND. Of his closing hours no particulars have reached us. I doub^ not they were blest with peace, Wiien first ' lid down suddenly, this time last yea«-, I witnessed his meekness and resignation, and heard his edifying discourse as I attended him to his home. He has since never been free from pain, nor, I be- lieve, without a patient trust in the Saviour. Many who visited hhn have been edified by his " suffering affliction and patience." His own wish, I think, was to die hero " among his own people" — ^Ijut frliids naturally urged the trial (if other climes to prolong so valuable a life. But who can add one moment to life's allotted span, when the work is done w'iiich God has assigned his servants. As he said to myself in a season of deep and sudden afflicMon,— " Our hsax'cnhj Father, loith wisdom that cannot err, always selects that time which is on every account the best, for the removal of his servants of every Kigefrom their piLjrimage to their home.'' He left our shores on the 4th of last October, acermpanied by his family, arrived safely in England, seemed better at first, but after eiglit brief days in London, during which lie spoke much of his Diocese, where his heart evidently was, he rapidly sank into his last slumber, and has entered as wc fully trust, into " thai rest that remaiiieth for the people of God." His last effjrc, before leaving Halifax, only about throe weeks before his death, was to an^ wcr an Address from his Clergy, which was far from doing justice to his wortli. And as many of you have probably never seen his touching reply — I shall close this discourse by reading it to you.— Halifax, October 1, 1S50. Dear Mr. Archdeacon, The affj(;tionato Address of yourself and the Clergy of the Diocese, was put into my hands tliis day, arid I do not lose an hour in assuring you and them of my cordial tlianks for this tribute of respect and esteem, which I can- not but value most higldy. It liMs offi'ii bci'ii tlie subject of !n\' thaukfuhiess and praise to God, that He has been graciously pleased to place me among a Clergy whom I can love most sincerely. Toward thcfco my ftelings have never varied for an hour. 13 Their nsefulness has been the first sulyect of my prayer on thch" behalf, and it has been a delight to me whenever my poor extrtions for their comfort have been blessed with any measure of success. Their usefulness and their comfort have cheered me among many toils and anxieties ; but well knowing the feebleness and insufficiency of my own endeavours, I have been canied with a thankful haart to Him from whom and througli whom, and by whom alone, any success nas been obtained. It has been subject of much regret to me that I have been wholly unable, in my very weak state, to address you as I would wish on several important topics before qiii'Lting these shores. My daily prayers however, shall be continued for your right guidance in all things, and for blessiags without number to yourselves, youi' families, and your flocks. Whether we shall be permitted to meet again in this world of uncertain- ties, is known only to Him with whom are the issues of life and death. At my time of life it is reasonable to believe that my day is past, the shadows of the evening surround me, and the darker cloud of night is not far distant ; but how delightful it is to knoiv that there is a bow in that cloud, and " a window beyond it which looks into Heaven." Let it be our prayer, while humbly endeavouring to fulfil our task to the last of our time, that» entirely through Him, whose we are, nnd whom wo desire to serve, we may be found near the Heavenly Shore on the day when the Jewels of his Crown shall be made up. To Him, beloved Brethren, I fervently commit and commend you, with an heart which while it beats, will be most deeply interested in yoiu' welfare, and above all, in your spiritual advancement and happiness. (Signed) JOHN NOVA SCOTIA.